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ATV Safety - Safety First
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Awareness
of environmental concerns has been growing for decades. It has affected
how we relate to the outdoors. It affects those of us who use off-road
vehicles, and it affects those of us who manufacture and sell off-road
vehicles. We all have a stake in safe, responsible riding and land use.
To keep
riding areas open requires good relationships between public land
managers, private land owners and others who share the land such as
riders, campers and hikers. In most cases common courtesy and
consideration of their interests is all that is necessary to ensure that
everyone can enjoy the area. Here are a few tips to consider when you
ride:
 | Learn
about the area you will ride in. Contact the public land manager or
private property owner to ensure that you understand area restrictions
and have permission to ride there. Get maps of the area, and stay on
trails if they are provided. |
| Keep
your ATV quiet. ATV’s are designed to be relatively quiet while
still delivering maximum performance , smooth engine torque and spark
suppression. Excessive noise stresses wildlife, and annoys property
owners and other recreation users. It also contributes to your own
riding fatigue. Less noise means you can ride farther more
comfortably. |
| Obey
trail markers and closure signs. There are many reasons why an area
may be closed to ATVs including the existence of fire hazard, refuge
to wildlife or plant life and safety hazards for ATV riders. The
reasons may not be obvious. If it is posted as closed, stay out.
| Always
leave gates and fences the way you found them. This is especially
important on private lands where livestock may be kept.
| Leave
the area as clean as you found it. If you see litter, pick it up and
carry it out on your ATV. Carry a rolled up plastic trash bag and a
couple of bungee cords on your ATV. Why not leave the area cleaner
than found it?
| Be
courteous to others you may meet on the trail. Always give
right-of-way to hikers and horseback riders. Pull off the trail and
stop your engine for horses. In most areas, horses are not permitted
on trails unless they are accustomed to vehicles, but don’t take a
chance. The rider will likely talk soothingly to the horse. It
doesn’t hurt for you to do the same to assure the horse you are no
threat. Horses respond very positively to a calm, human voice.
| Approach
livestock or wildlife on the trail slowly. In some parts of the
country, range cattle pass the afternoon under shade trees along a
trail. If you startle them, they may run directly into your path. Give
them time to react and give them as wide a berth as possible.
| Whenever
you talk to a landowner, take your helmet off. The helmet can make you
appear to be intimidating and unfriendly. Be friendly and honest in
all your discussions with the landowner…you are there as their
guest. |
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